Don't Ask Where People Go After Time Travel

Chapter 1684 Difference
Before Xie Chen could speak, Dugu Ming waved his hand and said, "Mr. Xie, there's no need for thanks. Just don't mistake these masked men for assassins from my Dugu family, and I'll be grateful."

He spoke with a sharp edge, referring to the assassination attempt that occurred on the day of the court hearing.

Xie Chen thought to himself, this case has dragged on for so long without giving the Dugu family an explanation, and instead Dugu Linxiu has been implicated. It's normal for Dugu Mingxin to feel resentful. Anyway, it's just a few words, and he can't stand it.

But Xiahou Mingxun behind him didn't think so. However, he was cut off by Dugu Ming as soon as he opened his mouth, "This must be the head of the Xiahou family, right? Seeing is believing."

As he spoke, he looked Xiahou Mingxun up and down. Seeing this, Zhuge Yu coughed lightly and turned to Awan, but she spoke first: "After a whole day of running around, I am really exhausted, so I won't exchange pleasantries with you gentlemen. General Meng, let's go."

Meng Tingyang nodded and left with Awan. Xie Chen, citing Wen Ran's serious injuries, dismissed the Wen family's guests, sealed off the Wen family's residence, and temporarily detained Fu Mingyue.

As for Fang Zilan, after leaving the Wen family, she went straight back to the Fang family, still dressed in purple, and quietly landed in front of Fang Chongzheng's door.

She stood there for a while until Fang Chongzheng's voice came from inside, "Now that you're back, why don't you come in?"

Upon hearing this, Fang Zilan suddenly pushed open the door, but did not go in. She simply stood at the door and asked, "What did you say to Lord Wen? Why did he commit suicide?"

"Lan'er, I only have one question for you." Fang Chongzheng walked up to Fang Zilan. "Now that things have come to this, do you still want to protect the Fang family?"

Fang Zilan did not answer, but instead took out a piece of scrap paper, held it up in her hand and questioned, "This is a fragment I found in the Wen family's ice room. Is your handwriting on it?"

Fang Chongzheng did not deny it. "So, you think Lord Wen's death is related to me?"

“Isn’t that right?” Fang Zilan’s expression was cold. “I did say I would protect the Fang family, but I won’t let others’ families be destroyed because of that.”

"Then how do you intend to protect the Fang family?" Fang Chongzheng stared intently at the person in front of him. "Do you know that from the moment you uttered those words, you will have to pay the price? Lies, framing, manipulation—these are all the means of protection you've been given. From the moment you decided to protect a not-so-honorable aristocratic family, you should have been prepared for this."

Fang Zilan felt a chill run down her spine, but Fang Chongzheng showed no intention of letting her off the hook. "I know that what you said was just a temporary measure, and you haven't thought about what to do next. In that case, I'll think of it for you."

"No need for you to trouble yourself..." Fang Zilan had barely opened her mouth when Fang Chongzheng interrupted her, "If I don't trouble myself, what do you intend to do? Do you want Li Hui's wounds to be buried here, or do you want Qin'er to die in the palace and be forgotten?"

Fang Zilan was stunned for a moment, then blurted out, "You clearly know why your cousin was injured and why your elder sister got married, yet you're going to use them now? Just for..."

She didn't continue, but Fang Chongzheng interjected, "Just for the sake of protecting the Fang family, as you mentioned."

Fang Zilan stared at Fang Chongzheng in disbelief, "So you're admitting it? You instigated Lord Wen to commit suicide, pushed Wen Ran to be his successor, and made him think that this would wipe the Wen family's past clean. Then you bribed martial arts figures to disrupt the ghost marriage, using the murders to force Xie Chen to investigate..."

She paused, then asked, "Are you going to use the Wen family as a scapegoat for the Fang family?"

Fang Chongzheng shook his head. "The Wen family is not only not innocent, but can even be said to be deeply sinful. Moreover, this day should have come when that Consort Shu killed the entire family of General Zhenbei and Prince Pingnan."

His voice deepened as he spoke, "They're gone, so I'll settle this score for them." "But I'm still alive..." Fang Zilan started to say, then realized what he meant, "Zixiu is the murderer of Lord Wen, and you're the one who spread this news?"

Fang Chongzheng nodded slightly, "The third young lady of the Fang family and the wife of the loyal heir of Miluo must sever ties with Zixiu. You can never be the same person."

Mingxiang pursed her lips and couldn't help but say, "My master isn't trying to make things difficult for you. It's just that if your senior brother is merely someone you can disregard, not worth sacrificing everything for..."

“That’s not how it is…” Cui Hai shook his head violently, “My senior brother is like family to me, it’s all because of him…”

His lips trembled slightly, and his facial expression gradually became ferocious. "I agree."

"No regrets?" Fang Zilan's expression was inscrutable. Cui Hai, with his neck stiff, said, "A man's word is his bond. I will never regret it."

“Alright.” Fang Zilan took out a golden plum blossom from her sleeve and handed it to Cui Hai. “Use this as a token. After the Fang family’s spring gathering, I will tell you everything you want to know.”

When Mingxiang saw the golden plum blossom, she wanted to stop him, but it was too late. She could only watch helplessly as Cui Hai accepted the golden plum blossom, clasped his hands in a salute, and said, "Thank you, Miss Zhen. I will do my best."

After saying that, he got up and left. Mingxiang watched his figure disappear and couldn't help but ask, "Master, why did you give him the golden plum blossom?"

“He’s about the same age as A-Shi.” Fang Zilan sighed softly, with an indescribable regret, “He still has the youthful impetuosity of Shangguan Min.”

Mingxiang clenched her fists tightly, hidden in her sleeves. "Is Master being soft-hearted?"

“Perhaps, but now I am a man of the martial world.” Fang Zilan casually picked up a teacup from the table and took a sip. “If Cui Hai is still alive after the Fang family’s Spring Festival, I don’t mind telling him the truth.”

"What if..." Before Mingxiang could say anything, Fang Zilan asked, "Mingxiang, do you think Cui Hai can live until then?"

Although she was asking Mingxiang, she didn't seem to expect an answer, because she knew better than anyone that this situation was complicated, the opponents were unknown, everyone was gambling, and in the end, many would probably lose their lives.

“Master…” Mingxiang took a deep breath and was about to speak when she heard hurried footsteps outside the door.

Awan pushed open the door and entered, her face not looking too good, but she still bowed solemnly to Fang Zilan, "Thank you for your help, Wuhuan."

"I couldn't save Wuhuan," Fang Zilan said, lowering her eyes. "You don't deserve my thanks."

"You didn't interfere, you saved face for him, that's enough." Awan let out a long sigh, her voice lowering slightly. "I know what kind of person he is, not very capable, but he has a lot of influence. It was only a matter of time before he was killed. It's just that..."

She stopped halfway through her sentence, and after a long while, she said, "Fortunately, you weren't the one who killed him."

"Does it matter whether he dies by my hand or someone else's?" Fang Zilan remained noncommittal. Awan turned her head away, not daring to look at her, and whispered, "If he dies by your hand, I won't be able to explain it to my master."